"I'm pleased that Mayor (Pat) Murphy included the library study in her budget," Hasskarl said. "I know there will be some challenges to reconfiguring the library's space, but I'm ready to take that challenge on."

Hasskarl came to the director's position this spring, ready to provide the oversight necessary during a major renovation.

"Mark has taken part in the library expansion at Chappaqua (N.Y.). And that was a big one," said Joanne Lillis, president of the library's Board of Trustees.

Despite attempts in 1995 and 2006 to secure funding for expansion, the library remains at 18,000 square feet, comprising three buildings.

But Lillis and her board say they are certain 2015 will bring the work necessary to move the teen and children's library sections out of their cramped quarters, to expand technology offerings and to better serve the 28,000 residents of New Milford.

"The mayor has offered $20,000 from the Waste Management Settlement Fund for a feasibility study," Lillis said. "I have a feeling the time is right to bring this forward."

The library's annual report for 2013-14 fiscal year leaves little room for doubt that more space is needed.

Circulation was 249 percent above the state average, according to Connecticut State Library statistics. That means 292,188 books, CD, DVDs and other offerings went out in circulation.

Children's programs brought in 9,818 kids while young adult/teen programs lagged at 1,579 -- still 982 percent above the state average.

"We have to address the teen area. We have to bring the teens back into the library," Lillis said.

The board concurred at its meeting last week that in moving forward they must be conscientious of the cost to taxpayers. A space planner will likely be consulted before going to an architect.

"We're hoping to modernize the (L-shaped) 1976 addition," Lillis noted. "It would be most efficient to tear down the present addition and put a new structure right there."

Board member Brian Feeney, an architect by trade, added, "We have to review where we are today and meet the true needs of the library."

Feeney took previous plans home and reviewed them. He is scheduled to present his findings at a closed meeting on Sept. 29. The board will then move forward on selecting a firm to conduct a feasibility study.